E-Street What is the best thing about growing older? And the worst?

The best thing has to be retirement, with its freedom from arbitrary demands and schedules. The worst is contemplating the real prospect of death-by-waiting-list as some administrator in the health care system strives to meet ideological social goals where lives are secondary.

--Gerald Hunter, Burnaby

Best thing? Having time for yourself free from family responsibilities, discounts, free banking privileges, etc. Worst thing? Arthritis, decreased flexibility and mobility, witnessing declining health in family members, death of aging friends or family members.

--Natalie Speckmaier, Vancouver

The best thing about growing older is you should be able to do those things you have put off for many years. The worst thing is not being able to stop governments from taking more of our savings by introducing other opportunity revenue sources, resulting in taking away what little savings we have accumulated. Spending money their way and not giving us a chance to spend it our way.

--Elwin Mowry, Coquitlam

The best thing is remembering all the good things you have done in your life, including raising a family. The worst thing is losing your health.

--Doug Vincent, Coldstream

Best thing about growing older is the wisdom we gain through experience.

The worst thing is that nobody will gain from that wisdom and experience.

There is a generation gap that has been magnified by the electronic age. Our elders hold an untapped wealth of knowledge. The youth are the ones missing out the most. They are the ones who can benefit the most from the elderly.

--Zanie Mollica, Kelowna

The best thing about growing older is that you are doing so and are ideally able to have sufficient funds to live comfortably; the worst is realizing you incur bad health, and with no money can barely survive.

--George F. Evens, Mission

The best thing about growing older is how much more patience and tolerance we seem to have! Or maybe we're just partially deaf and can't hear the silly things some people say! I love having selective hearing! The worst thing is how many more body aches and pains we seem to have. But, having said that, we are the sum of all our experiences, and aches and pains are definitely part and parcel of that!

--Barbara Christie, New Westminster

The best thing about growing older is that I know what I like in life, have time to appreciate all my good friends and those activities, and time to travel. Also, that I can appreciate family, have grandchildren and family times again and be able to relive the fun I had with my own children; being able to laugh at life's experiences and their repeats. The worst thing is health concerns with myself and friends, not always having enough money to pay for the above, and having people around who don't know how to laugh and who complain about so much when we are given so much to be grateful for.

--Eileen Robinson, Pitt Meadows

There are so many good things, they are too long to list; there are so many bad things, they are too long to list. There are too many quick cliché answers, they are too long to list. :)

--E T Millyard, Lillooet

The best thing about growing older is the freedom – freedom from work commitments, time to travel, time to enjoy grandchildren. The worst thing: the aches and pains that come with aging, the knowledge that you’re getting closer to “the end of the toilet paper roll,” so to speak.

--Pat Hugh, Richmond

The best thing is cheaper fares for seniors (i.e. movies, some stores, transportation, etc.). The worst thing is worrying if you have enough money to last in your retirement or having to go into a rest home and not being able to afford it.

--Marilyn Meyer, Port Coquitlam

I am old! Best thing about old age is having long-time, “comfortable” friends. Worst thing is when those old friends begin to suffer serious illnesses and begin the inevitable slide.

--Gordi Moore, West Vancouver

Well, I am still quite far off from being a senior, but I would say one of the best things about getting older is all the wisdom you acquire. The worst? Come back in 30 years and ask me that, LOL.

--John Michael Northcote, Vernon

The best part of aging? There are too many things to list. I think the absolute best is freedom to do, think and be who you are . . . no need to impress anyone but yourself. The worst part is having a young mind and an old body; I just can’t do a lot of the things my mind wants . . . If I do it, it sometimes ends up in an injury and as you age, the healing process just takes longer. The best saying on aging is “too old too soon, too smart too late.”

--Ed Braun, Vancouver

Best thing about getting older:

1. You get to retire and do as you like each and every day

2. You get up when you want to; you go to bed as late as you like and can stay in PJs all day

3. You don’t have to kowtow to anyone's opinion or wishes (especially bosses & others)

4. More and more, each day, there is less and less that is worrying or upsetting (you have seen it all before already)

5. Seniors’ discounts!!

Worse thing about getting older:

1. Some people have bad heath challenges (not me, praise the Lord)

2. More limited income (for most of us)

3. Can’t think of anything else worth mentioning.....

Each new day is a blessing and to be enjoyed.

--Rachel Cormier, Mission (69 years old -- if that means anything!)

The best thing about growing older is: more time to spend on oneself. The worst thing about growing older is: seeing younger folks making mistakes they would easily have been able to avoid had this working generation not put their own monetary/toy demands first before having their children. Too many children have been born in the current working class generation that may never get the chance to know the wisdom of their grandparents – their parents now being what used to be a grandparents-by age. A generation of learning and family structure lost.

--Fred Hawkshaw, Terrace

Sometimes growing older can be a pain but I like to think it is better than the alternative. The best part is . . . I have grown into my name! And it's about time, too. Other than that, I'm really enjoying a newfound freedom to be myself. Of course, weekends are different; it's all weekends -- gets to be a drag sometimes.

--Ethel Kirkpatrick, Abbotsford

The best thing about growing older, for me at least, is knowing you raised your kids to be decent citizens who contribute to society rather than abuse; the joy of having your grandchildren over for a visit or holiday; to have good health, happiness and a good pension plan. The worst that can happen too soon after retirement is failing health and falling off your perch. The lack of financial comfort in those so-called golden years and you’re too old to dumpster-dive.

--Tom Isherwood, Olalla

The best thing (once I retire) will be that my time is my own. I still have to work full-time so my leisure time for other activities is limited. The worst thing is that income goes down.

--Donna Rae, Surrey

The best thing about growing older is finally being able to relax and watch/help the grandkids grow, learn and play. Being able to go to a show or a dance or a play and know you can afford the ticket. Going for a drive and enjoying looking around without hurrying, and having time to enjoy my hobbies. Belonging to the Old Age Pensioners Association so we can help monitor the government with the OAP, CPP and the Health Plan that we started in 1932. The worse thing is being alone and having no income, no medical, no dental and relying on the kids to support us in a situation that we had not planned for: the OAP is just about $600 and the CPP is $560 but we both do not get that as we are "MARRIED" The government says two can live as cheaply as one so there are cutbacks . . . and if either of you earn a little extra money, there are cutbacks. It’s like a money war with the government, all the time, year after year. I met a man on the street who had no money for teeth and had no teeth and a 56-year-old woman with bare feet, in the rain, who did not know where to go for shelter at 3 a.m. One last thing -- OAP is not supposed to be included as income for tax purposes so would someone tell the CRA and accountants that?

--Stan Jarvis, Nanaimo

Good things about growing older:

• Other's opinions are not that important to you -- you become comfortable in your own skin.

• If you are in good health you can still take part in many activities -- biking, hiking, walking, swimming, etc.

• You can enjoy seniors’ discounts at most stores so you can save money shopping.

• Seniors’ discounts are available for entertainment and recreational centres and bus fares.

• If you are not financially secure, FEAR. Fear about where you may end up living (in the street), fear about getting really sick, fear about being left alone, fear about losing your eyesight, hearing, etc.

• Becoming invisible -- people just walk into you. They ignore you on the bus and fail to give up the seat in the seniors’ section.

• Not having value anymore -- even if you are qualified, it is almost impossible to find employment after 55.

• Not having control over your life.

--Sue Lakes Cook, North Vancouver

The best thing about growing older is one understands past mistakes, life’s lessons, wisdom, and learn to value what life has to offer. The worst part of growing old is, having those decades of wisdom that could have been useful when in your 20s, but are invaluable to pass onto your children.

--Barry O'Regan, Burnaby

Best thing about getting older? Seeing my two girls handle our six grandkids and watch how they face life. My wife and I are so proud of our family . . . we're blessed. Worst thing? Seeing all the advances in life and maybe not being here to enjoy them, while at the same time, being frustrated with the speed everyone is going at. Slow down and enjoy the smell of the roses as you drive.

--John Sykes, Abbotsford

The best thing is having better feelings, emotions and consideration for other people than when you were young. Also, the realization of the privilege of living so much longer that many others who didn't have that chance. The worst part is looking at those black and white photos of yourself and then looking in the e mirror.

--Jozef Demcak, Richmond

The best thing about growing older is realizing they can't really hurt me anymore. The worst thing is that they won't stop thinking of new ways to try.

--Alan Black, Vancouver

The best thing is the personal peace of mind that comes with having had a gratifying career and successful children. Aging seems to have a natural calming effect on emotions and ego. The worst part is the fallacy that Canadians have a “safety net.” Our politicians have let us down through innuendo and outright lies. They leave little for the rest of us. The Canadian Pension Plan is a joke, as is Old Age Security. The combined maximum of those plans is about $20,000 a year. Who can live on that given rising prices for accommodation and food? The government refuses to establish or acknowledge a “poverty level,” for obvious reasons, but we all know where it is when we have to support our neighbours who are literally starving or have special needs which are not recognized by government services. There is no contingency for the “baby boomers'” strain on medical services, much less housing and long term care. I hope for a major recession which MAY teach the greedy a lesson and possibly awaken some of the humanity within us.

--Colin Waddell, Fort St John

The best thing is having more time on my hands and being able to watch my family grow up around me. The worst is trying to stay healthy under our current medical system and trying to make ends meet in this economy.

--George McBain, Hope

The worst thing about getting older is that my brain-to-hand-to-eye coordination is quite a bit slower and what I think that I can still do comes back to haunt me when I least expect it. Sometimes I people in their 20s to 40s could feel for just one hour what my muscles and my head feel like when they ask me to do stuff that they think is easy. I sometimes think that if younger people can experience for one day how we feel at our most difficult times, then we might be better thought of. There is no best thing for me about growing older. Everything is getting harder, people expect more and more out of you, and it gets worse when you know that you don't have it in you anymore to give more. You can't do what you want to because your body is slowing down. You can only do 40 per cent of what you used to do and it takes 150 per cent more energy to do simple tasks. Sometimes you feel dead by lunch.

--Dave Gibney, Richmond

The BEST part about getting older is RETIREMENT, -- an end to the endless work week. The worst part of getting older is a weaker body and mind, and knowing you will one day be dependent on someone else to physically care for you.

--Kristee Walker, Richmond

The best thing about growing older (if there is a really best thing) is realizing that all the wealth in the world is not what makes one happy and content. It is the knowledge and insight, love and laughter, understanding and forgiving, and the many friends and family who have stood beside you through your trials and tribulations! The worst part is looking at the many pictures you have acquired over the years and trying to figure how that young man transformed into that grey-haired, wrinkled stranger!

--Jim Enos, Surrey

The worst thing about getting older is your body is getting older and gradually wearing out even if you are healthy. The best thing about getting older is one can retire from daily getting up to go to work. And one can enjoy life by going to the gym and the local pool to exercise and by trying to prolong your life by eating well and exercising daily. Hopefully, by the time you hit 60 you have no debts with a home all paid up, thus giving yourself the leisure of living a good and healthy pleasant lifestyle till the end of your life.

--Aime J. Therrien, Port Moody

The best thing about getting older is the acquired patience -- I do not need to immediately get the 3-D TV or latest I-something. I know that by waiting the first bugs will be worked out and it will likely be cheaper. Another improvement with aging is the joy of watching very young children. As a parent, I was frazzled trying to keep up with their running and exuberance; as a senior, I smile at seeing the parent chase the joyful child and think if I could only have enjoyed those moments more with my children.

--Ted Shandro, North Vancouver

The best thing about getting older is the reduction in the need to compete. The worst thing is the reduction in the means to compete. They cancel each other out nicely.

--Terry McKinney, Vancouver

Best: Knowledge gained.

Worst: Knowing how much you've lost (not only knowledge).

--George Pope, Richmond

The best thing about gracefully growing older is realizing all those boring clichés we heard growing up are true -- i.e. patience is a virtue, stop and smell the roses, hang in there, take one day at a time, don’t sweat the small stuff, count your blessings. etc. The worst thing is still having the mind of a 23-year-old in a 64-year-old body.

--Ron Bennett, Delta

One of the better things I find about growing old is that I'm less competitive in recreational activities such as table tennis, pickle ball and snooker, all of which are available at the local seniors’ centre. This means I'm more relaxed when I participate. One of the worse things I find about growing old is that I'm inclined to lose patience more easily with household chores such as meal preparation, especially when things go awry. This also applies to things going wrong when using the computer. Invariably I find it's due to some error on my part which, nevertheless, does not relieve the frustration of it all.

--Carl Johnson, Delta

Worst things: Everything creaks; and seeing how one has missed all sorts of opportunities.

Best thing: Seeing the grandchildren learn stuff from us, the grandparents.

--Rudy Hiebert, Abbotsford

The best thing about growing old is no single thing. It’s about family, especially grandchildren. Taking the time to read and write. Enjoying life with the person whom I have been married to for 55 years (Sylvia). Collecting my pensions and not having to work full-time. The worst is those damn aches and pains that come with aging and the inability to not be able to do the things I used to do.

--Dwaine Turcotte, North Vancouver

The best thing about growing old is the memories and experiences that one has been able to amass. The worst thing is running out of time to build more memories or have more experiences.

--Mike Dunbrook, Oliver

I don’t think there’s only one best thing about growing older. It’s a mixture of a lot of things, and you take time and effort to make them part of your life. It’s a matter of attitude and adaptation. I used to go up the stairs two at a time because I was afraid to be late for something; now, one step at a time, enjoying it for half a minute because I have all the time in the world.

Birthdays creep up on you so quickly for the simple reason that you don’t stay idle all day, you keep busy all the time. No time to worry about your aches and pain, you have to finish your Sudoku, go back to your book to discover “who did it”, or to check your computer to see how this 4.4 million year old woman looks like. Three or four times a day, I feel a slight nod on my knee; it’s my little dog letting me know that it’s time for my another ... “But there’s a light rain today!” “So what, you’re not made of salt.”

In my younger years, I was always searching for my keys; now I have learned to hang them on the inside of the doorknob of my front door. My little dog smells every tree, every telephone pole, while I look at the flowers, stop and chat with someone. In half and hour or so, we are back home, and it’s time for lunch.

Every day I make something different with fresh vegetables, fresh herbs from my little garden; I eat healthier these days.

A short nap, and today I want to work on my acrylic painting, a hobby I started when I was 70. I am enjoying my golden age. When asked, “How old are you now?” sometimes I say, “I can’t tell you my age, it changes every day.” Other times I say, “I am 42 + 40.” I don’t want to lie; I’m told I do not look my age, but I feel, think, and act more like 42 than most of my friends and acquaintances my age.

These days I can organize my day as I desire. I don’t have to drive through the traffic to get to work. I've sold my car, got a yearly bus pass, and with the money I can take taxis.

The worst part of growing old is that I cannot travel the world owing to a freaky accident with my foot.

I miss my parents, my brothers and sisters. I was number 11 of a family of 13; they are all gone except my younger sister. I miss never being able to skate again, play hockey, sleigh ride, square dance, jive, quick step, but I shuffle very well. Still, I have my memories. If I can’t remember names of friends, places etc. at the beginning of my daily meditation, I go through all the letters of the alphabet several times trying to remember; sometimes it works, sometimes not, and sometimes it comes back to me in the middle of the night. Oh well, it wakes me up, but I have to go to the bathroom anyway.

It is by getting older that we learn to stay young. But if you decide that you’re too old to learn something new, maybe you have never been young.

--Al Goguen, Victoria

A bit of wisdom is the best gift of aging. The really important things in life become crystal clear, unencumbered by the fog and stress of youth. Suddenly, life has renewed meaning, and living itself becomes the ultimate possession. The worst thing is, like Leonard Cohen mused in his Tower of Song, "You hurt in places that you used to play." But even that is not enough to hinder your great joy of waking up on the right side of the grass every morning.

--F. Ron Yorston, Delta

I really don’t think there is a ‘best thing’ about growing older, but if one has to look on the bright side of things there are a couple. After retirement, one realizes the reduced stress of having to perform in a work environment and can begin to relax a little. We can finally get out and do some of the items that time did not previously permit.

With the knowledge that comes from age, one realizes that we are here for so short a time and a thousand years from now no one will have known that we had even been here, so one just has to enjoy every day. When we were young, we felt that all we did was so important and we had to make our mark in the world. Now we know that it really didn’t make much difference and nobody else really cared except our immediate family.

The worst thing about getting older is seeing your friends and relatives passing away or becoming incapacitated in some way and knowing you cannot help except in a supportive role. Enjoy every day and extend your joy and feeling of being alive to all who surround you. Throw away all feelings of criticism or misunderstandings.

--Britt Bowles, Surrey

The best thing about growing old is that you become mature and wiser. Also, you get to do the things you have postponed for so long. Another fringe benefit is the pleasure of interacting and playing with your grandchildren. The worst thing about growing old is that your mind is not as sharp as it used to be. Also, your reflexes don't respond the way they used to when you were younger.

--Balwant Sanghera, Richmond

I have to say, the best thing about growing older is you know who you are and where you're going. The worst thing is, time goes by too darn fast!

--Madelaine Lawson, Salmon Arm

The best thing about growing older is the knowledge I have gained and having a more even view of the world. When I was younger things were black and white but now I've found it is more grey. The worst, of course, is I don't get to stay forever to enjoy the hustle and bustle of living!

--Rita Pollock, Coquitlam

The Best:

I don't know if these are the best things to being old, but when I look around at too many of the current crop of younger guys, I say to myself, I'm so happy I don't have that burning urge to chase women seven days a week, or buy a new car every year with the sole object of making a nuisance of myself in traffic. I. I don't have to walk along sidewalks in such a manner that older folks are forced to throw themselves in the gutter to get out of my way. Two years’ compulsory national service would do these young "tough" guys a lot of good. Now that would make me very happy.

The Worst:

Looking at all my Italian suits and jackets and knowing that there is very little chance, in this lifetime, of me ever being able to get into them again. All the shoes still fit but it isn't quite the same, is it? Also, getting down on my knees to feed the cats and needing assistance in getting back up. That hurts the ego.

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